Wrist-Wearable Heat Diffuser

Abstract

A rechargeable wearable electronic device is provided having a device housing with an electronic circuitry module containing a rechargeable power source and a receiver coil for wireless charging of the rechargeable power source as well as a band portion for attaching the wearable electronic device to a user appendage. The band portion includes a heat spreading layer of a thermally conductive material, such that a portion of the heat spreading layer within the device housing is in thermal contact with the electronic circuitry module. An outer skin encapsulates at least a portion of the heat spreading layer. The heat spreading layer is thermally conductive and may contain copper, aluminum, brass or other thermally conductive material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rechargeable wearable electronic device comprising:
 a device portion including a device housing containing an electronic circuitry module, the electronic circuitry module containing a rechargeable power source and a receiver coil for wireless charging of the rechargeable power source, wherein the electronic circuitry module generates heat during wireless charging of the rechargeable power source; and   a band portion for attaching the wearable electronic device to a user appendage, the band portion comprising a heat spreading layer of a thermally conductive material, the heat spreading layer having an inner portion within the device housing that is in thermal contact with the electronic circuitry module, to absorb heat from the electronic circuitry module and spread the absorbed heat to remaining portions of the heat spreading layer.   
     
     
         2 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an outer skin encapsulating at least a portion of the heat spreading layer. 
     
     
         3 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the outer skin comprises a silicone layer. 
     
     
         4 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat spreading layer is a copper band. 
     
     
         5 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion of the heat spreading layer is raised into the device housing relative to adjacent portions of the heat spreading layer. 
     
     
         6 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion of the heat spreading layer is in thermal contact with the electronic circuitry module via an intervening layer of a thermally conductive substance. 
     
     
         7 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat spreading layer includes a gap positioned substantially opposite the inner portion of the heat spreading layer. 
     
     
         8 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the gap is filled by a material of an outer skin encapsulating at least a portion of the heat spreading layer. 
     
     
         9 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the gap contains a closure configured to secure the rechargeable wearable electronic device to the user appendage. 
     
     
         10 . The rechargeable wearable electronic device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat spreading layer comprises aluminum or brass. 
     
     
         11 . A heat spreading band for attaching a rechargeable wearable electronic device to a user appendage, the heat spreading band comprising:
 a thermally conductive layer having a bare portion configured to contact an electronic circuitry module of the rechargeable wearable electronic device; and   a covering substantially enclosing the thermally conductive layer except at the bare portion of the thermally conductive layer.   
     
     
         12 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the covering comprises a silicone layer. 
     
     
         13 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the thermally conductive layer is a copper band. 
     
     
         14 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the bare portion of the thermally conductive layer is raised relative to adjacent portions of the thermally conductive layer. 
     
     
         15 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the bare portion of the thermally conductive layer is coated with a thermally conductive substance. 
     
     
         16 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the thermally conductive layer includes a gap positioned substantially opposite the bare portion of the thermally conductive layer. 
     
     
         17 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the gap is filled by a material of the covering. 
     
     
         18 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the gap contains a closure configured to secure the rechargeable wearable electronic device to the user appendage. 
     
     
         19 . The heat spreading band in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the thermally conductive layer comprises aluminum or brass. 
     
     
         20 . A rechargeable wearable electronic device comprising a device housing encompassing an electronic circuitry module including a rechargeable power source and a receiver coil for wireless charging of the rechargeable power source, wherein the electronic circuitry module generates heat during wireless charging of the rechargeable power source, the device housing further including a passage for containing a thermal sink extending through the device housing such that the thermal sink extends beyond the device housing, the passage being configured such that a thermal sink, when installed in the device housing, makes thermal contact with the electronic circuitry module.